How to Remove the Emblems on a Harley 883

The emblems on the Harley-Davidson 883 are vinyl decals applied directly to the painted surface of the gas tank. These decals are then clear-coated with a polyester hardener to protect the paint. If you remove the original emblems from the tank to apply custom Harley-Davidson emblems, you will unfortunately destroy your motorcycle's original paint job as well as the clear coat.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Pliers
• Gas can
• Socket set
• Wrench set
• Orbital sander
• 600-grit sand paper

1. • 1

     Remove the fuel hose from the fuel delivery petcock, a small valve, located on the left side of the gas tank with pliers. Open the valve on the petcock and drain the gas into a gas can. Close the valve on the petcock.

   • 2

     Loosen the jam nut that secures the petcock to the bottom of the tank with a wrench and turn the petcock clockwise to thread it out of the gas tank.

   • 3

     Remove the bolt located on the front of the tank between the tank and the front neck of the frame with a socket and ratchet. Remove the bolt that secures the back tank to the frame with a socket and ratchet. The bolt is located between the tank and the seat. Pull the tank off the Sportster's frame.

   • 4

     Place a 600-grit sanding pad onto an orbital sander.

   • 5

     Turn on your orbital sander and press the 600-grit sandpaper against the emblem on the tank. Rotate the sander around the tank in a wide circular pattern. Sand the entire surface of the tank until you expose the bare metal. The finish over the emblem is relatively thin. The 600-grit sand paper will grind through to the bare metal over the majority of the tank after approximately 20-minutes of sanding.